Its 1980 and the winner is?

[xm15e2s]

Ok lets play a little...........

Its 1980 and you are on a review panel to select your country's new standard issue battle rifle.

Your 10 man panel has narrowed it down to the FNC or the M16A1. Variants of both are part of the selection and include both the FNC full stock and para and for the M16 the variants include the CAR.

Remember its 1980 and at this date the M16 has not evolved yet, which means no burst, no rails and none of the current day accessories.

Your selection would be?????????????

Base your selection on things like............
weight
piston vs direct
relibility
folder vs non-folder


I would select the FNC because of the following:
piston
folder
3 shot burst as well as full auto
built like a tank
scope and mount availble

If the selection was being made in 2013, Im sorry to say the M16 would be #1 without question.

 

[StormWerkz]

I picked the FNC for sights, scope mount, piston.
Back in the late '80's I traded a $200 sarco M16 parts kit for the one I have . came with mags, mount, sling etc.

 

[paco]

anno 2013 i still would bet my live on my FNC. Works all the time...
Yes, did some tuning but what a killer...

paco out

 

[Wetworks]

I have a 1982 SP1 and a FNC. Given the choice as a battle weapon I would pick the FNC. If anything it just feels like a more durable rifle.

 

[sniperdoc]

M16, because the US is passing them out like candy! Instead of spending Defense dollars on rifles, I could use the money for extra training for the soldiers.

 

[MAC MAN]

I don't understand how a folding stock trumps a telescoping stock.

 

[sniperdoc]

I don't understand how a folding stock trumps a telescoping stock.

Folded, it's shorter vs telescoping stock

 

[wrongrecroom]

Again a lot of this is political more then practical I think

As other said the USA was pretty much given away M16 back then to any friendly or semi friendly country who ask for them ..

I agree 1980 the FNC would be a better choice but look at what countries adopted the M16 verus the FNC.... 80+ countries used or use the M16 or so veruse verus 10 or so for the FNC and they mostly small African countries

 

[Pavia]

I would want to fight with an FNC but hump an M16 on a road march.

 

[CAR]

I like both rifles a lot but I would pick the M16, it's lighter and easier to handle/shoot for me.